Advance Review: `Star Trek– Picard – Stargazer’ #3 Sticks The Landing

Talk about sticking the landing – and not a minute too soon.

Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer has been an uneven limited series. Seeking to capitalize on the excitement around the Paramount+ series – and bridge the gap between seasons two and three – this comic was able to only partially succeed. On the one hand, readers again saw familiar characters like Jean-Luc Picard and Seven of Nine as well as Romulans, Remans and assorted well-known other species. On the other, the story’s stakes didn’t ultimately seem that high and the first two books’ artwork was inconsistent.

Then came the third and final issue. Suddenly the story comes to life – in a way that completely captures the spirit of Star Trek. And the artwork has kicked up several notches.

Writers Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson waited until the concluding installment to show us why they are the right team for this book. With Picard taken prison by a half-Romulan on a planet he visited decades ago, he uses his trademark diplomatic skills to first understand then address the alien’s dilemma. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of fighting involved as well, beautifully drawn by Angel Hernandez.

Hernandez gives lots of TLC throughout the issue. His drawings of Picard actually look like Picard, as opposed to an older bald man with indistinguishable features. Seven looks just as she does in the streaming series. There’s even a cameo from another admiral that fans will enjoy – and helps to lay the groundwork for Seven’s return to Starfleet in season three.

It’s good to see that the characters than so many fans hold close to their hearts are finally getting the comic book treatment that they deserve. While the road to this story’s conclusion hasn’t always been smooth, this issue demonstrates that the journey is one worth taking. Hopefully the streaming series can learn a lesson or two from the comics.

Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer #3 will be available for purchase tomorrow.